Japan lagging behind in missile race – Pt 2 North Korea leads arms race
North Korea leads arms race.
PICS COURTESY PIXABAY/SHUTTERSTOCK
Pyongyang’s Arsenal
Moreover, the North Korean missiles have been gaining in their technological expertise in terms of speed, trajectories and range. This advancement was noticed in a MUSUDAN missile that was launched in June 2016.
The MUSUDAN missile was using a higher trajectory that launched it to a height of 620 miles (1000 Km). The observers of this missile which was tracked by most of the military authorities revealed a finesse that could allow Pyongyang to rain warheads in spite of the BMD causing vital damage in the Sea of Japan.
Rodong Missiles
The Rodong Missiles owned by North Korea have a range of 1300 Km (800 Miles) and have an optimum speed of 1.9 Miles (3 Km) per second.
Musudan Rockets
Musudan Rockets have a much longer range of 1860 Miles (3000 Km) and the raised trajectory of these rockets permits the warheads to be rained on the adversaries from a height of 1000 Kms at speeds up to 13 Miles (21Km) per second.
At such a high speed, the outdated Patriot PAC – 3s that Japan employs will not be able to match the North Korean missiles.
With a long-term perspective Japan is assessing and wanting to buy Lockheed Martin Corp’s Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system but no decision is made. The intention is to add a middle layer to BMD. The Japanese have also been thinking in terms of moving the aegis batteries to the shore to strengthen the defense.
However, in military preparations, it always has to be long-term planning since the processes are long drawn out and it takes years for anything to materialize. The simple reason is that the procurement cannot be finalized without the following:
1. Studying the options available for the specific requirement,
2. Picking the technology required,
3. Assessing the decision,
4. Arrange funding, and
5. Integrate the systems.
Summation
The US role in this region happens to be quite vital to ensure that its allies are not left in the lurch for want of military hardware and other supplies.
While Japan is having a tough time due to lagging behind its neighboring adversary, the US has begun the task of bolstering on priority, the setting up of THAAD batteries to strengthen their defenses.
The South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-Koo lamented in Parliament last year that all their preparations are nullified by the North Koreans in double quick time by the sheer speed of their technology upgrades which they are not able to match. The speed of their preparations are unimaginable, he said.
However, there is not that much to worry since the US has vowed to defend both Japan and South Korea with all it has in case there is an invasion. No holds will be barred, a spokesman of the Pentagon said recently.
Summing up the whole situation, it is seen that the Japanese forces are in a very vulnerable situation due to their lagging behind the North Korean adversary who is way ahead of them in military preparedness.
Out of its fleet of four Aegis destroyers each with 8 SM-3 missiles, two are undergoing repairs and refitting. SDF seems to be a worried lot since two destroyers to look out for any incoming missiles is not adequate by any stretch of imagination.
For the Japanese, it is pouring right now just as their Aegis fleet is depleted. That is where Uncle Sam’s role is very crucial for both South Korea and Japan who are the nearest to the threat.
The Japanese authorities are expecting 8 more GMD Aegis ships by the year 2019. However, they will be able to deploy only two out of that since repairs and maintenance needs are going to take a toll on the strength of these ships.
However, time alone will dictate whether these preparations will be sufficient to safeguard the interests of both Japan and South Korea with the full solid backing of the US forces.
Concluded.
Umrao singh umraoz.wordpress.com
Tuesday, 04 October 2016
Written for: Lars-Magnus Carlsson www.thephilippinepride.com
